Camping

Our ward had an overnight campout. The kids were super excited to go so we borrowed some gear and headed up for the night.

At dinner in Globe. Matthew thought is was chilly!

Matthew and Megan keeping warm.

U, Megan and Matthew with our tent.

A bunch of the kids playing around the fire. They ate lots of marshmallows, some of them as s'mores.

Me and Matthew at breakfast.

Matthew showing off his plate. He licked it clean (and had the stickiness to prove it!).

Sarah and Adam on one of their many explorations.

Interesting looking mushroom.

A group of us, including U, went on a little hike.

Matthew, Evelyn, Eden and Megan with a marker they made with rocks. They thought it looked like a unicorn.

Science Center

Since Megan's birthday was on Labor Day, we decided to go on a family outing. Megan chose the Science Center as our destination.

Megan spinning round and round.

Sarah takes a rest after pulling the rope pendulum.

Matthew experiments with wavelengths and frequencies.

We enjoyed seeing a planetarium show about our solar system.

The kids test out their coding skills.

Sarah, sacrificing herself to recover balls in the water area.

Megan, lining up balls to shoot in the air with water.

Matthew grabbing balls to put on the big spinning wheel.

Megan, after throwing a ball into a water vortex.

Megan's 7th Birthday

We continued celebrating Megan's birthday on Sunday (her birthday eve) when some of her birth family came over for a party. (Unfortunately, the younger two boys were sick and so Liz's husband stayed home with them.)

Robert wanted us to take this picture of him. He is 15 months younger than Megan. They are about the same height and Robert weighs quite a bit more.

Robert, Liz, Megan and Matthew playing with our magnetic blocks. Robert also really enjoyed playing the fishing game.

Megan enjoyed opening her presents. She received a book of Princess stories, a mermaid tail, a My Little Pony activity kit and a kit to make watchbands. She was really excited.

Reading the card with mom while Robert and Matthew play.

My Little Pony activity kit.

Love that mermaid tail!

We had ice cream sundaes.

Megan and Liz. Megan was so excited to see her!

Megan and Grandpa.

Grandma, Megan and Liz.

Megan was excited to have the day off of school on her birthday. She enjoyed playing with gifts she'd already received, opening the rest of her gifts, going to the Science Center and watching a movie.

Megan reading her princess stories in her mermaid tail.

Coloring in her My Little Pony kit.

The Birthday Girl!

She was really excited to receive some gummy candy from her brother.

Looking at the Elves Lego set from her grandparents. She'd specifically requested this set.

With her gifts. She received a couple of Elves Lego sets, magnet art kit, bracelet kit, gummy candy, nightgown and music box. What a blessed girl!

In the evening, we watched "Escape to Witch Mountain" and then had ice cream sundaes one more time! (3 times over the 3 day weekend!)

The scene the next morning before school. Matthew was up early, excitedly waiting for Megan to get up so they could put together the big Lego set. They enjoyed working together. (They put together the little Lego set the day before.)

Megan's 7th Birthday Party

Friday, Megan had her "Under the Sea" birthday party. Megan loves birthdays and celebrations and has been really excited for a long time. (She starts the countdown to her half birthday as soon as Christmas is over.....) The kids colored some ocean animals, played "Fish, fish, shark" (like duck, duck, goose), pinned pearls in an oyster and fished for animal life. They enjoyed pizza, cantaloupe and veggies for dinner and ice cream sundaes for dessert.

Playing Twister Moves with James and Fayth.

Megan being spun in circles.

Other kids in attendance: Ethan, Ella, Evelyn, Sean, Edward, Matthew, James, Fayth (not pictured)

Pinning the pearl in the oyster.

Edward pinned his pearl on Evelyn (she was near the wall when she was pinned).

Fayth, Evelyn and Ella.

Megan fishing. The kids all loved this activity and would have probably done it for a long time. Sarah was a big help with the activities.

Megan opening her gifts. She received a lot of craft and jewelry projects as well as a Sophia the 1st playset. My favorite was the card that said "Did you know that germs are everywhere?"